A change to the country's public forestry service will see it work in a more "hands-on" way with the sector, and transition to become a professional advisory and management service.
Forestry Minister Stuart Nash said the service would take on a "greater role" in driving a focus on regional economic development and skills training in the industry, as well as working towards lowering the sector's emissions.
"Forestry is the third-largest primary exporter by value, so it's important we keep innovating to support regional development, drive economic growth and meet our climate and environmental goals," Nash said on Thursday.
The service would provide more on-the-ground support to iwi, private landowners, farm foresters, local councils, timber processors and training institutes, Nash said.
"In the past three years, forestry policies prioritised regional economic development by supporting extensive tree planting and job creation. We are now building on those achievements to transition to a professional advisory and management service."
The service will also change its name from Te Uru Rākau (Forestry New Zealand) to Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service, and its headquarters will shift from Wellington to Rotorua.
Nash said the name change was "small but significant" and signalled a "more hands-on role" for the service.
